Commonwealth Association of Architects

CAA is a membership Organisation for professional bodies representing architects in Commonwealth countries. Formed in 1965 to promote co-operation for ‘the advancement of architecture in the Commonwealth’ and particularly to share and increase architectural knowledge, it currently has 34 members.

The Association is best known for its procedures for the validation of courses in architecture which convene international visiting boards to schools to assess courses against set criteria. This results in a list of qualifications recommended for recognition by members.

Under the umbrella of the Commonwealth CAA subscribes to its core values, and in particular, developmental support to the smaller and younger members. The Commonwealth network is increasingly valued as a means of accelerating improvement in the world’s living conditions and to ensure a sustainable future for the planet. The built environment has a key part to play and CAA works to ensure the maximum participation of the architectural profession at all levels.

Connections of benefit are required in a globalising world and the value of CAA is sustained by the commonalities of the network; the use of a common language and a shared heritage in the practice and education of architecture.